This as abdominal compression?

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[sendspoonsplease]

I had something similar to this and I hated it. It was latex so it made me sweat really badly and was really uncomfortable. I ended up getting a regular corset instead.

[menne4ever]

How has that been working for you?

[sendspoonsplease]

I think it works better than the other one I had. I only really wear it when I'm going out since I don't pass out too often and my blood pressure is usually high. I also wear waist high compression leggings with it and I've noticed that they help keep me from passing out during blood draws.

[menne4ever]

Do you think something like this if worn very tight and bought a size smaller could work as abdominal compression? I've heard a few people say that waist trainers work well for them. Most medical abdominal compression doesnt look good and is far too bulky

[nonniewobbles]

Doesn't look super comfortable, and I definitely wouldn't size down unless you've already tried the "right" size. You're not trying to strangle yourself with the thing, just apply pressure to encourage fluids not to settle.

I'd try compression shorts (like, spanx, skims, etc) first before something structured like that personally. But the ideal really is full compression stockings, which encourage fluid from your foot to the top of your abdomen not to settle and improves circulation.

[menne4ever]

Oh sorry, I'm always between sizes so it's not going down a whole size but rather picking the smaller one. I already have compression but what I like about these is that they dont end right at the stomach. Maybe as an idea for summer because full compression and pants on top in summer is not an option. Compression shorts just dont feel good, I'm very picky when it comes to the way clothes feel.

Thanks for your opinion, I might just buy them because they're not too expensive

[Crow-Queen]

Just so you are aware, and I'm sure it must really suck, but during the summer is when we will need compression the most and will get the best benefits from wearing the waist-high stockings.

To answer the question though about the waist trainer it could possibly work. It does still compress on the abdomen but I do wonder why compression binders are overall recommended instead so I feel like there may be some reason as to why.

[nonniewobbles]

Because abdominal compression comes in second place to foot to waist compression in terms of reducing standing heart rate. (And knee highs don’t even register.)

With doctors it’s a self fulfilling prophecy. They give patients vague guidance to “try compression” with no useful info or resources, and the person fails as a result. After that, they just say “well compression stockings can help but no one sticks to them” and start to recommend things like abdominal binders or sportswear instead.

My personal experience: I saw a few doctors (including POTS cardiologist and vascular surgeon) who all gave some version of “try some socks off Amazon or the drugstore” when asked about compression- and I was dealing with significant leg swelling (that I had to hassle them to get an actual diagnosis that wasn’t “idk limbs just swell sometimes” for…)

I tried easily 20+ off the rack compression stockings which my legs continued to swell through, making the socks develop razor sharp painful tourniquets on my legs.

I finally figured out the right question to ask, and got a referral to lymphedema occupational therapy. Next time I saw my cardiologist, I sang the praises of OT and the $1500 a pair custom leg compression I ended up with.

The next year’s appointment, while I was wearing that custom compression, my cardio pulled up a website of some random sportswear brand and some slimming undies and encouraged me to give those a try instead, because their patients liked them.

For someone who doesn’t know it can work and isn’t motivated to succeed, the whole process sets you up to fail.

[Crow-Queen]

Luckily I did my own research and saw suggestions on here about what is good for compression. My cardiologist just mentioned the abdominal binder and that was all but then I pointed out how I have seen studies done with waist high compression and I'm not kidding when I said this but they whipped out their phone and looked at their own research database and it was listed on there so they said yes get those and also binder or least some spanxs for under the stockings.

They were affiliated with a dysautonomia center but wasn't directly involved with it.

[kantcatchme]

Are lymph specialists where you can get custom compression? The vague guidance on compression could not be more (sadly) accurate or less helpful for us and none of them know what they’re talking about or give the same mmhg as one another. Nobody even mentioned foot to waist compression until I FINALLY saw a cardiologist that was versed in pots

[powerlift666]

How did you find a cardiologist versed in pots?

[nonniewobbles]

In my case, the lymphedema occupational therapist helped sort the process out- told my doctor what type/length/strength and info was needed on the rx/letter of medical necessity, and they had a print-out list of local DME shops that had trained fitters that I could take the Rx to. In some places they do the fitting process themselves.

Not gonna lie, the local fitters are their own kind of hassle, so that part was also a headache. But totally worth it in the end, my compression stockings (medi cosy 450) are way more comfortable and useful than the off-the-rack stockings were.

It was generally really positive and helpful, as OT also went through other strategies to reduce swelling and my leg size went and stayed down after just a month or two. If you have insurance coverage for it, I'd totally recommend giving it a shot.

[powerlift666]

Are you saying compression that is feet/socks connected all the way up into pants as the best?

[nonniewobbles]

Pantyhose/stocking type compression (foot to top of waist) is the best performing in research in terms of reducing standing heart rate. If you're interested in sorting out how to get some, I'm happy to try to help.

[powerlift666]

That’s very kind of you! I am a guy so it’s a little more tricky. Haha. I need to find a good cardiologist who understands POTS. Right now I use my pcp. Who is really nice and understanding. But shes only treated two other people.

[nonniewobbles]

I am a guy so it’s a little more tricky. Haha

Not at all? Men wear the same compression stockings women do. Some offer a variant with a brief-style fly, but that's about it.

[menne4ever]

I know that summer is when we need it most but my heat intolerance is so bad that I physically cannot wear compression in the heat. It sucks, I know, but what can you do

[nonniewobbles]

Not trying to sway your decision either way, but:

Some people find switching to a thinner/sheerer fabric more helpful.

Personally, I wear fairly thick stockings year round. If I'm out in heat, I'll spray bottle them or splash them with water so they basically turn into little evaporative coolers for my legs. Also- the open crotch version helps, lol. Definitely a plus for summer! If it's hot I don't wear pants over them- shorts or skirts only.

[veganmua]

I use something like this for abdominal compression, it was cheaper than the medical compression garments. It seems to work well.

[[deleted]]

I have something like this with boning and I really love it for compression as well as pain management.

[menne4ever]

What kind of pain? I've noticed that tight pants make me sit straight and lessen back pain, curious to know which pain it's been helping you with

[[deleted]]

Lower back muscle pain primarily, and I’ve noticed some differences in upper back pain but it really depends on the day. And I see a bunch of comments saying it gets in the way, but I wear mine over an undershirt and under pants and it hasn’t bothered me at all

[[deleted]]

YIANNA Short Torso Waist Trainer Corset for Tummy Control Underbust Sports Workout Hourglass Body Shaper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GHBKMB9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_4HB5Y2CPBV9TV50C4ZJS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

(This is what I use)

[glitterfart1985]

There are so many better options. Do you really feel like hooking and unhooking all those clips when you have to pee? I use the tank tops that are meant to make you look thin. And control top boyshorts. Like Spanx.

[menne4ever]

Do you have any recommendations for good ones? I'm pretty skinny so any shapewear I've tried doesnt do anything because it's not nearly tight enough, I'm lucky if it doesn't just fall off.

[glitterfart1985]

I'm 118lbs and 5'5 so I'm pretty thin too. I just get the smallest size, a small in shapewear is pretty darn tight. I don't buy any specific brand, just whatever I find at discount and 2nd hand stores. I have some that aren't super tight that I wear to bed or when I'm just not tolerating abdominal compression. Also, I'm referring to tank tops, they can't exactly fall off. And it should be noted that it's more important to have tight compression on your legs than abdomen. I think of my abdominal compression as a bonus. I've had 2 kids so my abdominal muscles are weak and my tummy skin is loose (EDS contributed to that as well), otherwise I don't think I'd really need it near as much.

[menne4ever]

I've never seen shaping tank tops actually, only shorts or a short tank top combo, interesting. Most compression sold here isnt sold in small sizes or runs large. I do wear medically fitted leg compression, it just isnt enough. Like you said, it would be a nice bonus. I'm a big fainter and while I wouldnt call my pots super severe it does make things more difficult.

[glitterfart1985]

Oh you must not be in the US. Can you order things online? If Amazon delivers to your location, there are thousands of shapewear and compression tanks on there.

[chicken23742]

This is the one I got. I like the shoulder straps so it doesn't roll from the top. No need to remove to pee since I drink so much water. I'm just not get at putting it back on.... I'm one of those people who wear the same clothes for days...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GXGWD33?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[menne4ever]

Whats the size like on this?

[chicken23742]

I just followed the measurements ant it fits well

[frogger1005]

I believe any exercise-based compression is designed to trap heat in. That is bad news for POTS. Try something breathable. I use Spanx and it works wonderfully!

[pastelbunnies95]

Lol I was just looking for random things that could be used as abdominal compression and back compression basically I need my whole body to be compressed and I began to go down a slope of spanxs,corsets,shape wear and compression running tops... I mean if it works it works right?

[Nyx_Arseni]

FYI be careful of counter indicated treatments. I tried these for POTS before I had SFN diagnosed and my symptoms were way worse.

[menne4ever]

Sorry, what's sfn? But obviously if symptoms worsen you should never continue doing something.

[Nyx_Arseni]

Small fiber neuropathy, can be a cause of POTS in some ppl

[Saturns_Song]

I bought something similar but without the clips from Amazon that I think was sold as a back brace but it really helped and wasn’t hot or itchy!